INVASION OF POLAND

Evening Star, Issue 23371, 14 September 1939, Page 6

INVASION OF POLAND

Heroic Resistance by Defenders Rams Make Roads Impassable Nazis Announce Intention to Bomb Open Towns Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 12. The Warsaw radio announced that nine Nazi divisions have been diverted from Warsaw to the Vistula and western European fronts. “ The invaders are now definitely on the run.” The Mayor of Warsaw, M. Starzynski, appealed by radio to youths to enlist in what may become a “ suicide battalion ”to defend the city. He warned youths not to volunteer unless they were resigned to fight to the last, as “ Warsaw will be defended to the last man.” The Polish Commander radioed that women were fighting alongside men, showing great courage. ‘ The Times * publishes the report that the Poles recaptured Lodz. It is also stated that the Polish Army of 250,000 men retreating from Pomorze established contact with the Polish troops in the vicinity of Warsaw. The report added that the dry autumn weather has and rain has fallen. The roads, already ruined by the advances of German tanks and air bombing, have become impassable. A message from Berlin states that General Von Brauschitsch has created Nazi regimental commanders in Poland as heads of courts-martial. He warned all Polish civilians in occupied territory to surrender their arms under penalty of death. Sabotage will be punished in a similar manner. A message from Warsaw states that it is claimed that three bombers bearing Polish markings were brought down by Russian anti-aircraft guns while flying oyer Russian territory. Some of the occupants, who were captured alive, were Germans flying German planes disguised as Polish. A message from Vilna reports that Gdynia, with a cordon round it, is bitterly resisting, and the defenders are hoping that British warships will arrive in a few hours. The German Government has officially announced its intention to bomb and shell open towns in Poland. It was asserted that this decision was due to the action of the Polish military authorities in arming and enlisting the support of the civilian populations to resist the advance of the invading forces. •